Prisoner Locator Tools

This page links to inmate locaters in a number of US States. Each locater is a little different. They can be searched in different ways and the amount of information about a particular prisoner can vary widely from state to state. Additionally some states place restrictions on how information from penal databases may be used.

Here are sites for the states that the 50-State Agency Database Registry knows about. If you know of other inmate/prisoner locaters that should be here, please either e-mail Daniel Cornwall at dnlcornwall AT alaska.net OR make a note on the discussion page.

Alabama - Inmate Search - a database of individuals currently incarcerated in Alabama correctional facilities. Users can search by AIS (Alabama Institutional Serial) number or by first or last name. No more than 50 results will be displayed for any search.

Arizona - Inmate Database - Locate status of inmates imprisoned in 1985 and later. Records include description, parole status and prison location, if available. According to the website, information obtained from this database should not be mailed to AZ inmates and will be treated as contraband. Database is only searchable by name and prisoner number, although some limiters are available.

Arkansas - Inmate population Information Finder - Prisoner database that can be searched not only by name, gender, age and race, but also by type of crime including: Assault, Drug Crime, Forgery/Counterfeiting, Fraud/Embezzlement, Kidnapping, Manslaughter, Murder, Other Crime, Other Violent Crime, Property Crime, Racketeering, Robbery, Sex Crime, Theft, Weapon Offense. Records include weight, height, sentencing history and prisoner photos when available. This system even lets you electronically send money to prisoners.

Connecticut - Inmate Information Search - Unlike a number of states, this database includes information on people incarcerated while awaiting trail, so as the web site says, being in this database doesn't necessarily mean that one is a convicted criminal. Database is searchable by name, date of birth or state identification number. Records include offense imprisoned for an projected release date.

Florida - Inmate Population Information Search if the inmate is in the state of Florida prison system and not on probation or parole in Florida; in a Florida county jail; in a Federal prison; in prison or jail in another state; or already released from the Florida prison system.

Illinois - Inmate Locator - Locate state prisoners by name, control number or date of birth. Records include description, photos, distinguishing marks, project release date, information on conviction leading to current sentence and holding institution.

Kentucky - Kentucky Offender Online Lookup (KOOL) - Prisoners may be searched by name, gender, race, conviction county, etc. Search may be limited to death row inmates. Inmate records include photo, sentenced offenses, facility, gender and appearance. From the website "Entries and updates to improve accuracy are done daily in order for the public to have the information that current technology and public resources will allow."

Maryland - Inmate Locator - Find state inmates by name. Records show name and contact information for the prison they are being held at. Inmate Locator does not include people being held in pretrial facilities.

Michigan - Offender Tracking Information System - From the web site, "OTIS is intended to offer information to the public that can then be verified through the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), Michigan Courts, the Michigan State Police or other law enforcement agencies. A search of OTIS will provide information about offenders previously or currently under the jurisdiction or supervision of the MDOC. A search result will provide information about any offender who is, or was, in a Michigan prison, on parole or probation under the supervision of the MDOC, has transferred in or out of Michigan under the Michigan Interstate Compact, or who has escaped or absconded from their sentence." Database can be searched by a number of criteria, including marks, scars and tattoos.

Nevada - Offender Tracking Information System - Find inmate location and status, searchable by name or system ID. Prisoner records may include height, weight, build, ethnicity, current location and sentenced offenses.

New Jersey - Offender Search Form - This inmate locator offers extensive search options, including hair color, eye color, race, and date of birth or age. Database records include photos, which may be disabled for faster search access.

New Mexico - Offender Information - The New Mexico Corrections Department Offender Information is intended to provide law enforcement agencies and the general public with information about offenders who are incarcerated or on probation and/or parole supervision. You must know an offender’s first and/or last name or NMCD Number to begin the search process.

New York - Inmate information - Prisoners may be looked up by name, birth year and state identification numbers. According to the web site, "Everyone sentenced to state prison since the early 1970's is listed in the database, except youthful offenders and those who have had their convictions set aside by a court. There are several reasons for this policy." Records include name, ethnicity, holding facility, crimes of conviction, projected release date and more.

North Carolina - Offender Search - Search by name or ID number for public information on inmates, probationers or parolees since 1972. This system allows users to view and download any/all public information from the NC Department of Correction database for convicted offenders. Also includes information on inmate releases and escapees. Another database accessible from this page is Correction Statistics, enabling users to create reports on North Carolina prisoners and probationers. The North Carolina Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is also linked from this page. Some other databases linked here are limited to access by criminal justice agencies only.

Ohio - Offender Search - Inmate locater searchable by a number of criteria, including name, whether incarcerated or on parole, parole hearing date or state identification number.

Pennsylvania - Inmate locater - Note: Best viewed in Internet Explorer. Inmate database searchable by number of criteria including name, committing county, citizenship status, date of birth or age. Records by be sorted by name, race, location, inmate number, committing county or date of birth.The information posted on this website is limited in order to ensure compliance with the Pennsylvania Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA), 18 Pa. C.S.A. Section 9101 et seq. CHRIA limits the type of criminal justice information that may be disseminated to the public.]

South Carolina - Inmate Search The search displays photographs and public information on inmates currently sentenced to and incarcerated in South Carolina prisons.

Tennessee - Felony Offender Information Lookup The information available on this Web Site pertains to Tennessee felony offenders who are or who have been in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Correction or under the Supervision of the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole. The information is submitted by various jurisdictions within Tennessee. Confirmation and/or elaboration should be obtained from the originating jurisdiction.

Virginia - Inmate Status Information System - Prisoners are searchable by Department of Corrections' six digit identification number or their exact Last Name, First Name and Middle Name or Initial if known, plus the inmate's race and sex. Only the middle/name or initial is optional in this search. If more than one inmate matches your criteria, you are directed to contact the VA Dept of Corrections.

Washington - Find an offender - Searchable by name or state id number. Records include name, state id number and holding facility.